Plant Gardens 101

Many perfectly sensible and sociable adults will confess that they had a secret, private hiding place in some garden of their childhood: a hidden corner in a grandmother’s garden, a secret spot in a grove of trees, or even a shrubby nook in a vacant lot. In the rush to ensure that we create environments for socializing and for family activities, we can forget the joy we found in those secret garden hideaways.

Sure, it’s great to have “together” spaces: like a pool for the family to splash in… or a swingset and sandbox for the youngsters. But more than one parent with a beautifully groomed yard has listened to their child speak reverently of the “hideout” at a friend’s place: a bank of towering, unkempt weeds where a child can hide from the world.

Children have it figured out: the more hectic our lives, the more we need a place for renewal and rejuvenation. Creating your own garden hideaway need not involve major construction projects or expensive plantings. Instead, scan your garden for the three key criteria: (more…)

Hands down (pardon the gardener’s pun), autumn is everyone’s favourite time to garden. Comfortably cool, often sunny, bug-free, these autumn days allow us to perform our gardening tasks with zest. Most of the chores required of you this time of year are of a housekeeping nature, although there is still important planting to be done. One or two days dedicated to your fall garden will reap you big time rewards next spring and summer. So grab your garden tools, put on your favourite old sweater, and get down and dirty.

1. Divide and conquer: Most perennials love to be divided in the fall, especially peony, iris, hosta, phlox, daylily, and black-eyed susan. Lift the roots carefully out of the ground, then divide into two or more sections. Each new clump should have some strong roots and several growing points. Some root systems can be pried apart with garden forks, others will need to be cut with a sharp clean spade. Dividing is a great way to start new plantings – or to renew an old favourite. As a general rule, you can divide a healthy plant every 3 or 4 years. Just be sure to water the newly planted divisions well and often before the first frost. (more…)

Canadians love their gardens – whether that means a patch of grass and a few sturdy shrubs by the deck, or a full-scale, blowsy English garden of roses, perennials and vegetables. Our little patches of green tend to be our personal sanctuaries and play spaces – away from the stresses of the world.

Well, for our gardens to be our sanctuaries, it would be best if they were health-inducing – and that means eco-friendly.

Here’s some tips for “green” landscaping to improve your outdoor living this summer:

Begin With The Trees
Your trees are your best landscaping asset. Deciduous trees let winter sun into your house when you need it most, and shield you from the sweltering rays of summer. If your house is blessed with shade, you’re already a leafy 10 degrees cooler than properties exposed to full sun. Mature trees provide the best air conditioning possible — clean, free, and majestic! Evergreens planted on the north side of your home will help stave off the winter chill. There are other important health benefits to trees, too: all types of trees will clean the air around you. It’s no surprise that many homeowners are paying big bucks for big trees. But if you start planting now, before you know it (with patience and minimal care). you too can enjoy the many benefits that trees freely offer. (more…)